Kenneth McKellar

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Kenneth McKellar
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In Ons Wêreld LP ............................... 1978

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A Dream O' Hame LP .... SKL 5079 1971 DECCA

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Kuier by ons LP ........... SKL-S 4488 1970 DECCA
Kant 1:
1. Die Ou Eikestad (C. Steyn)
2. Trekker Vaarwel (Jandrell)
3. Kom Terug Na My, Liefling (D. Steyn)
4. My Nooientjie Woon In Heidelberg (D.F. Viljoen)
5. Annie Hugo (B. Cronjé)
6. My Sarie Marais (Toerien)
Kant 2:
1. Stap Aan Deur Ons Veld (Hanley; Courlay; B. Cronjé)
2. Land Van Ons Vaders (J.H. Pienaar)
3. Liefling Kom Wals Saam Met My (R. Scott)
4. Seën Hierdie Huis (Brahe-Cronjé)
5. Tot In Ewigheid (Chopin; A. Viljoen)
6. My Hut Aan Die Vlakte Se Soorn (Eardley; Cronjé)
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Nommerkeuse: Roy Evans
Musiekdireksie: Peter Knight

Dié van u wat Kenneth McKellar se besoek in 1965 aan Suid-Afrika onthou, sal ook sy ryk, suiwer tenoorstem onthou. Om sy eerste langspeler in Afrikaans te hoor, is 'n belewenis. "Sarie Marais" word met 'n lewenslustigheid gesing wat ongeëwenaard is in die geskiedenis van hierdie Afrikaanse liedjie; en "Land Van Ons Vaders" ontroer 'n mens werklik. En dan is daar "Die Ou Eikestad" wat absoluut 'n tonika is. McKellar sleep 'n mens mee met die polsende ritme en die heerlike oorgawe waarmee hy dit sing. As u nog nooit 'n goeie opname van "Trekker Vaarwel" gehoor het nie, moet u die plaat besit - hier kom die woorde en die musiek tot hulle reg.
McKellar se styl verandering is 'n ander aspek wat op die plaat duidelik geïllustreer word so gemaklik, so professioneel. Hierdie is nie maar net nog 'n kommersiële opname wat in Afrikaans deur 'n groot sanger gemaak is nie - dit is 'n kunswerk wat "lewe" en betekenis gee aan talle van ons mooiste en bekendste Afrikaans melodieë en die begeleiding! - ai, dit het ons 'n langpad geneem om dié standaard te bereik. - Johan de Bruin - omslag

While working in London during the mid 1950's I was absolutely charmed by a twenty minute B.B.C. television programme which featured the effortless and magical singing of a young Scottish tenor called Kenneth McKellar.
Back in South Africa some years later my wife, Paddy, and I often reminisced over the singing of this obviously talented young man. A further sampling of his wares were high priority on our musical diet! This unsatisfactory state continued until a few years later when we secured a copy of a new LP by Kenneth McKellar, with the orchestral direction by Bob Sharples. Included in the repertoire was the most magnificent rendering of the "Lost Chord" I have ever heard, and to this day this record remains one of our most cherished posessions. Little did I ever think that one day this golden voice would sing one of my own compositions, and furthermore, sing it just as I always imagined it should be sung. But here I am doting over my own modest contribution to a repertoire of recorded music that can only be described as exciting and highly entertaining.
The amazing versitility of Kenneth McKellar's vocal prowess is clearly illustrated by his delicate handling of songs like "Kom Terug Na My, Liefling" and then suddenly in direct contrast he is authoritively robust in his rendering of "Die Ou Eikestad" And then there is "Sarie Marais" - I leave you to discover the sheer joy of Kenneth McKellar's particular interpretation of this age old melody for yourselves. It is something that you will truly appreciate when you play this record for the first time.
Peter Knight's sensitive backings at all times reflect the many subtle nuances of words and music, a truly remarkable achievement for someone who is unfamiliar with the Afrikaans language.
This recording clearly underlines the musical beauty of our expressive Afrikaans language when sung by an artist of the calibre of Kenneth McKellar. - Rollo Scot - omslag

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